PearlPalooza & YogaPalooza return Saturday, September 12
Downtown Albany is gearing up for the seventeenth year of its free, all-ages music festival, PearlPalooza, which returns Saturday, September 12 from 11:00 AM–7:00 PM. Presented by Albany Mechanical Services and Common Roots Brewing, this highly anticipated event features a dynamic lineup of local and internationally acclaimed artists. PearlPalooza is produced by 102.7 FM WEQX, Sugar Productions, and the Downtown Albany Business Improvement District (BID).
YogaPalooza is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, and guests can expect a special, commemorative experience to mark the occasion, presented by MVP Healthcare.
Attendees can also discover a wide variety of food, beverages, handmade goods, and art from 30+ vendors, with even more to explore at Downtown businesses located just steps away from the festival. Guests 21 and older with a valid ID can purchase craft beverages from official beer sponsor Common Roots Brewing.
Performances will take place against the backdrop of downtown Albany at the PearlPalooza stage at N Pearl Street & Sheridan Avenue. This year’s lineup includes:
King Tuff | 5:30 PM
Robber Robber | 3:45 PM
The Parlor | 2:30 PM
Bruiser and Bicycle I 1:30 PM
Albany Rock Pit | 12:30 PM
YogaPalooza, the Capital Region’s only street-wide mass yoga event, celebrates its 10th anniversary, kicking off activities on N Pearl Street from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Instructors from The Hot Yoga Spot will lead this free, one-hour, all-levels yoga class from the main stage. YogaPalooza is presented by MVP Health Care, in association with The Hot Yoga Spot, The Hollow Bar + Kitchen, and The Downtown Albany BID. Find more information and register for YogaPalooza at downtownalbany.org/yogapalooza.
Downtown Albany BID Executive Director Georgette Steffens said: “We’re incredibly proud of this year’s PearlPalooza lineup, bringing a diverse range of musical talent to downtown Albany for a full day of free entertainment. We’re grateful to our partners and sponsors for helping us continue this 17-year tradition and create a truly memorable experience on beloved Pearl Street. We’re also thrilled to celebrate the 10th anniversary of YogaPalooza and kick off the day with good vibes and a great workout. We look forward to welcoming both returning fans and new faces to this year’s festival, and we’re confident it will be another remarkable day Downtown."
Albany Mayor Dr. Dorcey Applyrs said: “PearlPalooza and YogaPalooza are exactly the kind of events we mean when we talk about turning the lights back on in Albany. Year after year, thousands of residents and visitors come together on North Pearl Street for live music, local food, and to experience the energy of our downtown. This year is especially exciting as we celebrate 10 years of YogaPalooza and another incredible lineup that puts regional talent alongside nationally recognized artists. I encourage everyone to make a day of it, enjoy the festival, visit our downtown businesses, and experience everything our Capital City has to offer. Thank you to the Downtown Albany BID, our sponsors, and the City employees and public safety teams who make this community tradition possible.”
Albany Mechanical Operations Manager Jason Bethon said: "I've always believed that great music has a way of bringing people together, and that's exactly what PearlPalooza does every year. We're honored to be back as a sponsor for the third year and excited to help support an event that means so much to our community."
Common Roots Brewing Co-founder Christian Weber said: "We're incredibly proud to return as a sponsor of PearlPalooza for the second year in a row. At Common Roots Brewing Company, we believe great communities are built around shared experiences, and few events bring people together quite like this festival. PearlPalooza celebrates everything that makes downtown Albany special—live music, local businesses, and the people who make this region such a vibrant place to live and visit. We're honored to help support an event that strengthens our community and creates lasting memories for thousands of attendees."
WEQX Program Director Jeff Morad said: “It’s our favorite time of year to party on the streets of downtown Albany! Thank you so much to all of our sponsors, the Mayor, the downtown BID and the fans of both music and EQX. We’ve been obsessed with the Vermont-based artist, King Tuff, for more than a handful of years now. You know his songs - and if you don’t, get to! Robber Robber, also based out of VT, are gonna bring so much energy. Bruiser and Bicycle (Albany, NY) are going to blow your mind, and The Parlor will ease it. We're also excited to see and support Tess's band of rockers, the Albany Rock Pit. When Tess asks if they can play, you say yes - love you, Tess! Come downtown, get a room, grab a bite and a bevie with us. As always, PearlPalooza is a free event and is family friendly.
PS - can't wait to hug the man who invented PearlPalooza, my boy Sugar Shane!"
PearlPalooza 2026 is presented by Albany Mechanical and Common Roots Brewing Company. The festival is sponsored by ParkAlbany, Metroland Now, Silver Cannabis Company, the City of Albany, The Hollow Bar + Kitchen, and GroundWorks, and co-produced by the Downtown Albany BID, WEQX, and Sugar Productions. Common Roots Brewing Company’s PearlPalooza Lager is the official craft beverage of PearlPalooza.
YogaPalooza is presented by MVP Health Care, and sponsored by The Hot Yoga Spot, The Hollow Bar + Kitchen, and the Downtown Albany BID.
$8 event parking is available at ParkAlbany's Riverfront Garage — just a few blocks from the action! Find more at downtownalbany.org/parking.
For more information, visit: downtownalbany.org/pearlpalooza and weqx.com.
Event Ground Rules: no outside alcoholic beverages, glass containers, dogs or pets (with the exception of ADA-certified service animals), recording of performances, or bad attitudes will be allowed at PearlPalooza. Security personnel have the right to inspect any bags brought onto the premises.
